Alternative asset manager Carlyle Group has introduced its first two publicly listed mutual funds, paving the way for Carlyle to offer its investment platform to retail investors, Reuters reported.

After a mistaken bet on US Treasuries, assets of Pimco Total Return Fund sank by $41.1 billion last year, making it fund's worst showing in nearly two decades, Reuters reported.

The biggest bank in Spain, Banco Santander SA, sold its real estate arm to US-based private equity group Apollo Global Management in a deal valued at €664 million ($903 million).

JPMorgan Chase & Co settled a lawsuit brought against it by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh involving the losses it sustained from mortgage securities it bought from the bank, Bloomberg reported.

Ontario, Canada-based clay brick manufacturer Brampton Brick Ltd said it has closed the previously announced $40 million long-term loan for asset purchases and other general corporate purposes.

The private equity industry worldwide was able to reach $431 billion in fundraising last year, an increase of 13% from the funds raised in 2012, a Preqin study revealed.

North Carolina, US-based diagnostic and research service provider Metabolon Inc announced that it has closed $15 million in Series E financing through preferred stock issuance.

New York City, US-based video syndication startup Vidible closed $3.35 million in a Series A fundign round led by Greycroft Partners, according to a regulatory filing in December.

Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry filed an infringement lawsuit against Typo Products, the startup co-founded by Ryan Seacrest, over its newly released smartphone keyboard that attaches to the iPhone5.

Retailer Jos. A. Bank Clothiers on Friday amended the ownership threshold of its poison pill to 10% from 20%. The amendment would enable Jos. A. Bank to issue a large number of shares to existing shareholders in case an unsolicited buyer acquires 10% of the company.